Karl-theodor jasper



March 31, '1964 KARL-THEQDQR JASPER 3,126,708

ICOMPOUND SUPPORTING STRUCTURE FOR UNDERGROUND ROADS IN MINES Filed Nov. 18, 1959 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 I? I! I0 1/ It" 15 "/2 '13 l? 1 a I 0 I,

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[ T N II I I T 1 @l v l/ws/vrax United States Patent 3,126,708 CONPQUNDSUPPORTING STRUCTURE FUR UNDERGROUND ROADS IN MINES Karl-Theodor Jasper,38 Grunstrasse, Hagen, Westphalia, Germany Filed Nov. 18, 1959, Ser. No.853,751 Claims prinrity, application Germany Dec. 27, 1958 7 Claims.(Cl. 61-45) The present invention relates to a compound support ingstructure for underground roads in mines.

The proposed supporting structure represents a departure from thetraditional principle of constructing single arches from a plurality ofstrong, relatively long, profiled sections clamped together so that theycan slidably yield when the pressure exceeds a predeterminable limit.

The fundamental drawbacks of these known and conventional supportingstructures are the great weight and bulk of the individual constituentsections, their resultant high cost, and their relative lack ofadaptability to varying tunnel cross sections. The low stability of thesingle arch necessitates the provision of connections by bolted tensionand compression members between consecutive arches along the length ofthe road. The presence of these connections entails the additionaldrawback that displacements lengthwise of the road, for instance as aresult of movements in the overlying strata, do not have a merely localeffect but are transmitted to neighbouring arches along the road.

The basic principle which underlies a roof supporting structureaccording to the present invention consists in distributing over a widerarea the loads to which the supporting structures are subjected, that isto say in reducing local stresses in the supporting elements so that thesupporting structure can be built up of correspondingly weaker componentparts, such as relatively short individual elements in the form of sheetmetal sections.

According to the invention, each of the built-up structures which isintended to replace a conventional single frame comprises a compoundstructure for supporting the inner surfaces of mine galleries consistingof a plurality of compound elements, each of the elements composed of apair of relatively closely spaced elongate sections, transverse membersinterconnecting opposed sections of each of the elements to form an openlattice construction, the transverse members having portions extendingoutwardly of the sections, the end of the sections of each of thecompound elements being nestably interconnected with adjacent ends ofthe sections of at least one adjacent compound element and forming anarched support, and means clamping the ends in yieldable relation to oneanother to form a support over a transverse area of the inner surface ofa mine gallery.

The relatively short sections which build up an individual componentarch may be slidably insertable or nestably interconnected the one intothe other, preferably in the form of sheet metal U-sections of from 1.20to 2 metres in length, the joints between the sections being establishedin the regions of overlap of adjacent sections. Such sheet metalsections can be easily produced by cold or hot pressing. The yieldableclamp connections which join the profiled sections together and yieldwhen a given load is exceeded, and which are located at correspondingperipheral points of the two arches forming the compound supportingstructure, may be of substantially lighter and simpler construction thanthe clamping straps required in conventional supporting systems.

In a first embodiment of the invention the yielding joints are securedby stirrup members which embrace flanges of the interposed sections, oneshank of said stir- 3,126,708 Patented Mar. 31., 1964 rup-shaped memberbeing fixedly located on the outer section, and the two interposedsections being clamped together between the locating means of said shankand the shank which bears against the corresponding inside face of theinner section.

In another embodiment which commends itself from the point of view ofsimplicity and convenience as well as on account of its adaptability tolocal conditions and the ready adjustability of its load-yieldcharacteristics, each slidably yielding friction joint is established bya sleeve which embraces the point of overlap betwene adjacent sheetmetal U-sections, the interposed U-sections being pressed against theinside wall of the sleeve by a wedge driven into the space between theopposite inside sleeve wall and the floor of the inner sheet metalU-section. This sleeve is simply pushed over adjacent sections when thestructure is in course of assembly and may then rest on one of the crossmembers which connect the juxtaposed component arches together.

In a modified form of construction of a friction joint based on theafore-mentioned principle, which permits an even better distribution ofthe frictional forces, a special wedge member, for instance of H-sectionand secured to the sleeve, may be inserted into the space between theinside wall of the sleeve and the inner arch section, said wedge memberbeing engageable with satisfactorily controllable wedging eifect by twocooperating wedge members of opposite taper driven into the recessesformed on either side of the H-section.

The alternately outer and inner interposed sections which are thereforeof two different sizes have the same static properties and like weightper unit length. This result can be achieved by appropriately designingthe gauges of their respective flanges and webs.

In view of their short length and their lightness, dislocation of thesections is less likely to occur, and it is therefore unnecessary toprovide two adjacent friction locks for each joint as is the case in theconstruction of conventional arches.

The principle which underlies the constructions which have beendescribed above in general terms permits of slight modification inasmuchas the lattice-like compound supporting structure may naturally be builtup of sheet metal sections other than U-sections. These may be eitheropen sections, such as Z- and H-sections, or more particularly closedtubular round or box sections, and the component arches may be built upof like or of different types of section.

A particular type of slidable joint according to the invention permitsthis to be done. This consists in that peripherally adjacent straightsections of a compartment arch are yieldably connected together byintermediate elements of corresponding profile which bridge the gapsbetween peripherally adjacent arch sections, said intermediate elementsembodying the angle required to hold adjacent arch sections inappropriate relative positions for forming the component arch. In amanner which is in principle already known these intermediate elementsare elbow-shaped. The angle formed by the two shanks on each side of theelbow may be the same in all the intermediate elements which connectadjacent arch sections together but intermediate elements with dilferentelbow angles may likewise be used. Generally speaking, the angle at theapex of the component arch is required to be more acute than thepreferably similar elbow angles of the intermediate elements which formthe joints down the sides.

It in the last-mentioned and preferred form of construction of theinvention the component arch sections are tubular, then the intermediateelements may be in the form of sleeve-like elbow-shaped socket membersfor the reception and yieldably frictional engagement of theinterconnected arch sections.

According to yet another advantageous alternative embodiment, in whichthe profile of the intermediate elements is not so positively controlledby the profile of the interconnected arch sections, the intermediateelements are of divided two-part construction and consist of shelllikecomponents of suitable shape which are pressed together so as to form atapering gap of controllable width for the reception of the ends of thearch sections which are to be connected thereby.

This latter embodiment of the joint between adjacent arch formingsections also permits a more convenient arrangement for interconnectingthe two component arches to form a. compound structure consisting ofindividual elements of the utmost simplicity and like shape, andespecially of sheet metal sections of equal length, interconnected byintermediate elements forming bridge members between adjacent ends ofthe arch sections, in a manner that is readily adaptable to tunnel crosssections of any size.

Various embodiments of compound supporting structure according to theinvention will now be described, by way of example, with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a side view of a firstembodiment of a complete built-up compound supporting structure,

FIG. 2 is a plan of two consecutive compound structures according toFIG. 1 in the underground road,

FIG. 3 shows, on an enlarged scale, a joined section of the structure ofFIG. 1 as this would appear when seen in the direction of arrow P inFIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a section, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line IIIIII ofFIG. 3, and illustrating the formation of joints between cooperatingsheet metal sections in the two component arches, this figure showingtwo embodiments of clamping means employed for forming the joint,

FIG. 5 is a section, on an enlarged scfle, taken on the line IVIV ofFIG. 3, illustrating the manner in which the component arches arecross-connected to form a structural assembly,

FIG. 6 is a View of a compound supporting structure, similar to thatshown in FIG. 1, in which sleevelike clamping means are used toestablish the joints,

FIG. 7 shows, on an enlarged scale, part of the structure according toFIG. 6, viewed in the direction towards the side face of the road,

FIG. 8 is a section, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line VlI-VII ofFIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a detail, on an enlarged scale, of the compound supportingstructure according to FIG. 7,

FIGS. 10 and 11 are sections, similar to FIGS. 8 and 9, of analternative embodiment of the joint between arch sections,

FIG. 12 is a side view of [a second embodiment of a compound supportingstructure employing intermediate elements for joining together thecomponent arch sectious,

FIG. 13 is an end view corresponding to FIG. 12 showing the lattice-typecross bracing between the two component arches of the structure,

FIGS. 14, 15, 16 and 17 show, on an enlarged scale, various embodimentsof elbow-shaped intermediate ele ments for use in the supportingstructure of FIG. 12 to provide the yieldable connection with one of thetwo component arch sections which are joined together thereby.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are a cross section and side view, respectively, of asimple yieldable connection between two relatively staggered overlappingH-sections, and

FIGS. 20 and 21 are a side view and cross section, respectively, of anembodiment of an intermediate connecting member comprising twoshell-section halves bolted together for clamping the ends of thecomponent arch sections between them.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the compound supporting structure showncomprises two component arches A and B, each comprising alternate outerand inner sheet metal sections 19 and 11. Each component arch in theexample shown comprises a total of nine such sections, considerably moresections than are used in conventional underground road roof-supportingarches. Corresponding actions of the two component arches are arrangedso that their open sides face each other. The sheet metal sections 10,11 in the illustrated embodiment are pressed tJ-sections clampedtogether in a manner described hereinafter so that their lapped jointscan slidably yield.

Corresponding sections 10 and 11 in the two component arches A and B areconnected together by transverse members 12 and/or 13 located outsidethe region of overlap between adjacent sections, so as to form rigidrectangular structures which are joined in the peripheral direction ofthe compound arch by clamping elements which connect adjacent sections10 and :11 in such a way that they can yield when the load exceeds apredetermened maximum limit.

The transverse members 12, 13, which may also be U- section elements,are bolted to the sections 10, 11 by bolts 14 with countersunk heads(see FIGS. 1 and 5) so that the bolts will not interfere with thesliding of an inner section 11 in an outer section 10.

In a first illustrative example of clamping means shown in the upperpart of FIG. 4 for connecting adjacent U- sections 10, 11 together, oneshank 26 of a stirrup member 15 which is bent through an angle of islocated in the region of overlap on the outer flange of the outerU-section 10, whereas the other shank '17 extends into the interior ofthe inner U-section 11 and carries a friction pad 16 on that side whichfaces the flange 0f the inner U-section.

In an alternative form of construction, shown in the lower part of FIG.4, the stirrup-member 15a of the clamping means is located on the web ofthe outer U- section 10 and embraces the flanges of the two overlappedsections 111 and 11 so as to extend into the interior thereof, theinside face of the stirrup member being likewise provided with afriction pad 16 which bears against the inside of the web of the innerU-section 11.

The location of the stirrup members 15, 15a on the outer section 10 maybe effected by screws 18 which engage a threaded hole in the outerstirrup shank 20, 21, respectively, and which have pointed ends whichare adapted to engage a depression in the outer section 10. When thescrews .18, which are formed for instance with square ends 19, aretightened, the stirrup members are thereby positively located on theouter section 10 and at the same time the shank of the stirrup memberwhich carries the friction pad 16 is pulled into tight slidable contactwith the inner section 11.

The compound supporting structure shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 differs fromthat illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 merely in that use is made of adifferent type of clamping means which is shown in greater detail inFIGS. 8 and 9. In principle this form of clamping means con sists of aclosed sleeve 112 which, in the region of overlap of two sections 10,11, completely embraces the two sections which are wedged betweenopposite walls of the sleeve by the interposition of a wedge means 113to form a yielding connection. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 the wedge means113 may be a generally H-section key element which is pushed from aboveinto the interior of the overlapping U-sections 10, 1 1.

The sleeve 112 is held on the outer section and supported by atransverse member in the form of a U- section strut 114 which connectstogether the two component arches of the compound supporting structure.It will be readily understood that the wedge means 113 is suflicientlylong to project from each end of the sleeve 112, so that it can beeasily knocked into place or knocked out when the assembly is to bedismantled.

The embodiment of clamping means shown in FIGS. and 11 differs from thatshown in FIGS. 8 and 9 merely by the insertion into the interior of theinner section 10 of the frame of a wedge-shaped filler 113 of H-sectionwhich is held in the sleeve 11-2 by locating pins 115 or otheroppropriate means, the two sections 10 and 11 being clamped together bydriving wedges 1'16, 116 of opposite taper to that of the filler member113 into the recesses formed by the latter. The surfaces of the wedges116', 116" will therefore bear along their entire length on thecooperating surfaces of sleeve 112, inner U-section 10 and filler member113' upon which the wedges act.

FIGS. 12 to 21 illustrate an embodiment of a compound supportingstructure built up from straight sections of arbitrary profile and equallength, which sections are yieldably connected together by intermediateelements which bridge gaps between the ends of adjacent sections, andwhich have cross sections that appropriately correspond with theprofiles of the joined sections, each intermediate member being formedwith an elbow to produce the required overall shape of the compoundstructure.

With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the structure illustrated consists ofsix sections 1 interconnected in yieldable manner by intermediateelbow-shaped shoe elements 2. The numeral 3 designates cross members andstruts which connect and brace the two component arches of the compoundsupporting structure.

Generally speaking, the assembly of a structure of the type illustratedin FIGS. 12 and 13 will call for the provision of only two dilferentkinds of intermediate elements 2 which differ in the angle formed by theelbow. One of these, as indicated at 2, will'then be suitable forforming the corners against the side Walls of the road, whereas theother, indicated at 2', has a somewhat more acute elbow angle and may beused to join the sections of the structure at the apex.

This form of the supporting srtucture is suitable not only for use inroads driven through rocks but also for gate roads driven into the seam,because it permits the apex of the arch to be displaced according to theincidence of the seam. The fact may thus be utilised with advantage thatthe resultant skew structure formed by the component arches will be ablelargely to make good the deficiency in strength of conventional profilesin the Y-axis.

The elbow-shaped connecting elements 2 and 2' which themselves form theangle between consecutive sections 1 can be embodied in various ways,examples of which are shown in FIGS. 14 to 17. In FIG. 14 an element 2is shown permanently fixed to one (1') of the sections 1, preferably bybeing shrunk on to the same, and the possibility may be envisaged ofcontriving the shrunk-on joint so as to yield when a certain load isexceeded, this naturally being a much higher load than that at which theconnection as such is calculated to yield. For instance, the shrunkjoint may be designed to support a load of say 30 tons.

On the other hand, the connection with the adjacent section 1" of thecomponent arch is so contrived that this section will slide into thesocket-formed element 2 when the load exceeds a much lower given maximumlimit. The distance between the ends of adjacent sections 1', 1" whichis bridged by an element 2 is suitably designed to take into account thedesired maximum yield. It will be readily understood that thearrangement may be optionally such that either the lower section 1' orthe upper section 1" will yield by sliding into the element 2 at thelower maximum load. The important feature is that the joints between thecomponent arch sections and the elbow-shaped element 2 which bridges theinterval between the ends of the sections will have different load-yieldpoints.

The length of the straight sections 1 which build up the componentarches is uniform and may be adapted to the overall cross section of thesupported road. For instance, for a small road cross-section of say 5sq. m. the sections may be 1 metre long, whereas in a road cross-sectionof 20 sq. metres they may be up to 2 metres long. In other words, evenin the largest roads the sections will still be conveniently portable,especially as their sheet metal construction ensures a light weight.

FIGS. 15 to 17 illustrate possible alternative forms of elbow-shapedsocket-formed intermediate elements permitting a yielding connectionbetween one of the supporting structure sections and the element.

In FIG. 15 the end face of section 1" which is to be yieldably securedis provided with a binding 4 which is entrained and pushed into theelbow-shaped socketformed element 2 when section 1 is inserted therein,frictional resistance rising as the depth of insertion increases, sothat the load-carrying capacity is thereby controlled.

In FIG. 16 the elbow-shaped element 2 is formed at one end with atapering slot which produces the desired wedging efiect.

FIG. 17 illustrates an embodiment in which section 1" is. wedged in theelbow-shaped element 2 by the cooperation of two oppositely actingwedges 6 and 6" inserted longitudinally of the section into apocket-like enlargement of the element 2.

A similar clamping efieet may be obtained by the pro vision of twooppositely acting transverse wedge members.

A suitable wedge connection for directly joining two H-profile sectionsis illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19. The two sections, placed together insuch manner that one flange of one section bears against the web of theother in staggered juxtaposition are wedged inside a sleeve 7,wedge-shaped keys 8', 8" and 9', 9" being driven into the inter-spacesbetween the webs of the sections and the insides of the sleeve fortightly joining the sections together.

Other forms of construction of elbow-shaped socketforrned intermediateelements and clamping means which can be used for profiled sectionsother than tubular sections (FIGS. 14 to 17) can be readily devised.

A particularly convenient arrangement for forming a yielding joint forinstance between H-sections is illustrated in FIGS. 20 and 21.

In this embodiment the connecting elements are in the form of twoshell-shaped members and 100" which project into the correspondingprofile of the component arch sections and are bolted together with anappropriate number of nuts and bolts 110. Moreover, in order to produce,or adjust to, a desired load-yield characteristic by tightening the gapbetween the two shell-shaped elements, a further bolt 12% is locatedabout midway between the opposed ends 1' and 1" of the connectedsections and adapted to be more or less tightened to pull the centres ofthe shell-shaped sections together.

The bolts 110, as well as bolt which controls the width of the gapbetween the cooperating shell-shaped members, may, if desired, bereplaced by bolts which can be tightened by wedges.

If the bolts are tightened sufficiently, the described connection can bemade so rigid as to be practically incapable of yielding underincreasing loads.

Even if the component arches should be built up of a lesser number ofsections than herein described, for instance of five sections only, thesections are nevertheless all areanged to be of like length. In the caseof an odd number of sections, the section at the apex of the componentarch is of curved shape. The form of the elbowshaped intermediateelements will not be affected, all said elements being of equal length,and incorporating the same elbow angle. Moreover, this angle remainsunchanged for roads of any cross-section.

In one embodiment of the supporting structure, using straight sectionsof limited length yieldably connected together by elbow-shapedintermediate elements which bridge the gaps between the ends of saidsections, an especially advantageous arrangement consists ininterconnecting the two component arches by means of crossed tie-rodssecured by thread and nut to the centre part of the sections to form arigid lattice-type structure.

It will be readily understood that the invention is not confined inscope to the illustrative examples which have been described byreference to the accompanying drawings. Numerous other modifications canbe devised so as to embody the principles that underlie the invention.

For instance, clamped joints of the kind illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19or 20 and 21 could be applied to conventional roof supporting arches forforming the yielding connections between the customary stilts and theadjacent upwardly extending member of the arch. In such an applicationthe joints according to the invention permit the yield and loadresistance to be regulated and controlled in a particularly usefulmanner and, if desired, the joints could even be tightened until theresultant connection was rigid.

Moreover, by embodying the stilts or a yielding support in the form oftwo shell-like elements to establish a yielding connection by suitablytightening an appropriate number of tie bolts and nuts 110 with thesimultaneous adjustment of the gap between the two memberswhich wouldthen naturally differ from FIG. 20 by being straight instead of bent-anydesired load-yield characteristic could be obtained without the need ofspecially preparing or machining the pair of shell-like elements or thearch sections which the elements grip.

I claim:

1. A compound structure for supporting the inner surfaces of minegalleries comprising a plurality of compound elements, each of saidelements composed of a pair of relatively closely spaced elongatesections, transverse members interconnecting opposed sections of each ofsaid elements to form an open lattice construction, said transversemembers having portions extending outwardly of said sections, the endsof said spaced sections of each of said compound elements being nestablyinterconnected with adjacent ends of the sections of at least oneadjacent compound element and forming an arched support, and meansclamping said ends in yieldable relation to one another to form asupport over a transverse area of the inner surface of a mine gallery.

2. A compound structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said sections andsaid transverse members are formed of s .eet metal of substantiallyU-shaped cross-section.

3. A compound structure as defined in claim 2 wherein the open sides ofsaid sections face one another.

4. A compound structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said clampingmeans comprises a stirrup-shaped member embracing said sections in theZone of nestably interconnected ends, said stirrup-shaped memberincluding at least two shank portions, one of said shank portionsfixedly engaged on the outer surface of one of said sections and theother of said shank portions bearing against the corresponding insidesurface of the other of said sections.

5. A compound structure as defined in claim 4 wherein a friction pad isinterposed between the other of said shank portions and the insidesurface of the other of said sections.

6. A compound structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said clampingmeans comprises a sleeve embracing said sections in the zone of thenestably interconnected ends, and a wedge means interposed between theinner surface of said sleeve and the inner surface of the innermost ofsaid sections.

7. A compound structure as defined in claim 6 wherein said wedge meanscomprises an H-section wedge member secured to the inside of said sleevein the space between the inside surface of the innermost of saidsections, and additional wedge members of an opposite taper disposedwithin the recesses formed on either side of said H-section and theinner surface of the innermost of said section and said sleeve,respectively.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS973,654 Hansen Oct. 25, 1910 2,713,774 Heintzmann et al July 26, 1955FOREIGN PATENTS 517,996 Belgium Aug. 26, 1953 802,413 France June 6,1936 1,042,997 France June 10, 1953 1,171,854 France Oct. 6, 1958572,111 Germany Mar. 10, 1933 636,450 Germany Oct. 8, 1936 829,141Germany Jan. 24, 1952 955,672 Germany Jan. 10, 1957 273,399 GreatBritain June 30, 1927 416,263 Great Britain Sept. 13, 1934 421,822 GreatBritain Dec. 27, 1934 515,009 Great Britain Nov. 23, 1939 55,732Netherlands Dec. 15, 1943

1. A COMPOUND STRUCTURE FOR SUPPORTING THE INNER SURFACES OF MINEGALLERIES COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF COMPOUND ELEMENTS, EACH OF SAIDELEMENTS COMPOSED OF A PAIR OF RELATIVELY CLOSELY SPACED ELONGATESECTIONS, TRANSVERSE MEMBERS INTERCONNECTING OPPOSED SECTIONS OF EACH OFSAID ELEMENTS TO FORM AN OPEN LATTICE CONSTRUCTION, SAID TRANSVERSEMEMBERS HAVING PORTIONS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY OF SAID SECTIONS, THE ENDSOF SAID SPACED SECTIONS OF EACH OF SAID COMPOUND ELEMENTS BEING NESTABLYINTERCONNECTED WITH ADJACENT ENDS OF THE SECTIONS OF AT LEAST ONEADJACENT COMPOUND ELEMENT AND FORMING AN ARCHED SUPPORT, AND MEANSCLAMPING SAID ENDS IN YIELDABLE RELATION TO ONE ANOTHER TO FORM ASUPPORT OVER A TRANSVERSE AREA OF THE INNER SURFACE OF A MINE GALLERY.